World XI to play in Pakistan to resurrect regular international cricket

Pakistan defeated India in the 2017 Champions Trophy final with a margin of 180 runs. Pakistan’s captain Sarfraz Khan urged all the international boards to come and play in Pakistan, “Pakistan Cricket has lost a lot owing to an absence of international cricket, and it is time for international teams to recognize us,” he said. “We have not played cricket at home for the past nine years,” Ahmed said adding that despite home-like conditions in UAE, playing at home is a different experience.

“We came here as a number eight ranked team and won the tournament. Hope all nations now come and play cricket in Pakistan,”

Three T20 games have been scheduled between the World XI and Pakistan in September this year. The matches will be held at the Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore with utmost levels of security. All the games from the series will be given international status. Home games in Pakistan have been banned since the terrorist attack on Sri Lankan bus in 2009 series. Apart from one Zimbabwe series all other home series of Pakistan have been played in UAE since then.

“We’re scheduled to have a World XI in Pakistan in September for three Twenty20 games. So hopefully that starts paving the way for future tours. We can only hope,” added Pakistan’s, Coach Mickey Arthur.

This was an effort initiated by the ICC officials after Pakistan’s Champions Trophy win to try and revive international cricket in Pakistan. The team for the series is yet to be announced where Mahela Jayawardene is being suggested as the captain for the team.